The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) has reported 19 additional hepatitis A cases in the past week or so, bringing the outbreak total on Oahu to 93.

Image/Peggy_Marco

All cases have been in adults, 29 have required hospitalization. All of the cases were on Oahu during their exposure period. Four individuals now live on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui.

In addition, health officials have confirmed a new case of hepatitis A infection in a food service employee on Hawaii Island. The employee has a history of exposure on Oahu and worked at the fast food and catering restaurant, Sushi Shiono Waikoloa, located in the Waikoloa Beach Resort, Queen’s MarketPlace at 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, from July 5 through July 21, 2016 (actual dates: July 5-8, 11-15, and 18-21).

Although the risk is low, as a precaution, unvaccinated patrons who consumed any food products from this store during this period should contact their healthcare providers about the possibility of receiving hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin, which may provide some protection against the disease if administered within the first two weeks after exposure.

HDOH staff are conducting interviews with the cases in an effort to identify the source of infection.